How to Avoid a Social Engineering Attack

(Click on the image for a 2 minute video)

What is a phishing attack?
Phishing is a form of social engineering. Phishing attacks use email or malicious websites to solicit personal information by posing as a trustworthy organization. For example, an attacker may send email seemingly from a reputable credit card company or financial institution that requests account information, often suggesting that there is a problem. When users respond with the requested information, attackers can use it to gain access to the accounts.
See also GRIZZLY STEPPE: Russian Malicious Cyber Activity.

A poker pro goes all in on MGM National Harbor and its rich, card-playing ‘whales’

By Steve Hendrix (The Washington Post):
For the past three years, Power, 28, has been based at Maryland Live outside of Baltimore. He lived in a townhouse in Hanover, walking distance from the casino, along with the team of a half-dozen players, each of whom Power mentors and stakes in exchange for an even split of their winnings. Together, they are a poker factory, taking shifts of 10, 15 even 20 hours in the card room; they call it “grinding.” Casinos are open 24 hours, and one member of Team Power is almost always at a table.
But the prospect of a bigger, fancier and, most importantly, new casino opening an hour away presented an easy bet to Power. He began plans to move his poker house soon after MGM announced its opening date.
As the Dec. 8 debut neared, his first order of business was to find a new crash pad for himself and his team. He looked at houses all around National Harbor that fit the criteria needed for six pro gamblers: at least six bedrooms, a basement big enough for more mattresses (it’s common for their poker friends to flop after a long game) and a quick drive to MGM.
. . . The Fort Washington house would do. It was seven minutes closer than the next best. And the owner, who has been hoping for an MGM-related business boom, had no problem with Power’s income stream. [Read Steve's report here.]

At MGM resort, bomb-sniffing dogs and thousands of cameras look for trouble

(Click on the image for Lynh's report)

By Lynh Bui (The Washington Post)
Across the length of five city blocks on the banks of the Potomac River, bomb-sniffing dogs pad through crowds with their handlers. Uniformed security scan for signs of trouble. And more than 2,300 surveillance cameras, mounted on high, swivel and zoom, capturing around the clock the movements of the world below.
The scene may suggest the posture of a protected government facility or a heavily guarded bank, but it is only a glimpse of the casino security operation at the MGM National Harbor.

The Windows Tech Support Scam: A Recurring Nightmare

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“I am calling you from Windows…”
We’ve all had the calls, but what can we really do about the Windows Tech Support scam? Should you hang up, or lead the callers on? Is there anyone you can report them to, and if so, should you even bother?
The aim of the scammers is to talk you into installing remote software on your computer, so that they might then take control. Once done, this will either allow them to steal data, introduce a Trojan horse or other malware (the remote software itself may be a malicious tool) or just perform a bit of “tech support theater” to make it seem as though they know what they’re doing.
Once the “virus” is discovered, of course, the scammers will demand money for their services of “removing” it. This can go a number of ways, but if you refuse, there is the possibility that the scammers have remotely changed your password or encrypted your files, transforming this into a one-on-one ransomware scam.
So, how should you deal with a scam call? Well, the answer is simple: hang up.
What If You Already Gave the Scammer Access to Your Computer? [Read the Article]

An Example of What a Phishing Email Looks Like

(Click on the image for the New York Times report)

Phishing uses an innocent-looking email to entice unwary recipients to click on a deceptive link, giving hackers access to their information or a network. In “spear-phishing,” the email is tailored to fool a specific person. 
From The New York Times report, 'The Perfect Weapon: How Russian Cyberpower Invaded the U.S.':
"A second team of Russian-affiliated hackers began to target the D.N.C. and other players in the political world, particularly Democrats. Billy Rinehart, a former D.N.C. regional field director who was then working for Mrs. Clinton’s campaign, got an odd email warning from Google.
“Someone just used your password to try to sign into your Google account,” the March 22 email said, adding that the sign-in attempt had occurred in Ukraine. “Google stopped this sign-in attempt. You should change your password immediately.”
Mr. Rinehart was in Hawaii at the time. He remembers checking his email at 4 a.m. for messages from East Coast associates. Without thinking much about the notification, he clicked on the “change password” button and half asleep, as best he can remember, he typed in a new password.
What he did not know until months later is that he had just given the Russian hackers access to his email account."

Internet Security Basics

(Click on the image for the videos)

• Internet Security Basics 
• How to choose a good password 
• How to know when to trust a website 
• Why we need all those software updates 
• How to protect your phone from hackers 
• How to protect your home from the Internet of Things (IoT) 
• 5 ways to protect yourself online

Fios Digital Voice Makes It Easier to Activate Nomorobo

Nomorobo is a third party program that identifies known robocalls and stops them after the first ring.
From Consumers Union: "Thanks to pressure from activists like you, Verizon recently decided to provide more help blocking invasive robocalls. Each year, consumers lose an estimated $350 million as a result of privacy-violating phone scams. This is a big step in the right direction by Verizon."

After MGM Opening, Milt Peterson Is Not Done Developing National Harbor

Click on the image for the BisNow report)

• Eight years ago, in the height of the recession, Peterson opened the waterfront, mixed-use community at National Harbor, and five years later, it opened the 350k SF Tanger Outlets. Milt, who still owns much of the land around National Harbor, sees MGM as an anchor that will lead to even more development. As for what the next step is, he's keeping an open mind.
• Peterson has already submitted plans to the county for an adjacent 1.2M SF mixed-use development with a 500-key hotel and 700 residential units to complement the resort. 

'Missed Delivery Notice' Scam

(Click on the image for the report)

Here’s how it works: Scammers posing as the USPS, FedEx, UPS email their targets with a notice claiming that they’ve missed a delivery, and will need to enter certain personal details or payment information to get that package redelivered, or click a link to another site for more information.

Public Safety Food Basket Program

Donations accepted at the District VII Station!

A Look Back at the Long Road to MGM National Harbor Casino

(Click on the image for Tracee's video report)

By Tracee Wilkins, News4:
A look back at who proposed to build Maryland's sixth and final casino and who worked to make it happen.

MGM lauds hiring and giving record as it readies to open in Prince George’s

(Click on the image for Luz's report)

By Luz Lazo, The Washington Post:

• Close to 50 percent of the casino resort’s workers will be Prince George’s County residents
• Nearly 40 percent of MGM’s construction payments had gone to minority-owned businesses
• Plans to use Prince George’s-based Miller Farm for produce in the spring
• Working with Melwood to supply flowers for the floral display at the conservatory
• Donated $343,000 to the Prince George’s Community College Foundation
• Donated $140,000 to support county nonprofits

Mortgage Giant Fannie Mae Accused of Racial Discrimination in Prince George's County

(Click on the image for the details)

"National Fair Housing Alliance and 20 Civil Rights Groups File Federal Lawsuit Over Neglected Foreclosures"
The lawsuit alleges that Fannie Mae purposely fails to maintain its foreclosures (also known as real estate owned or “REO” properties) in middle- and working-class African American and Latino neighborhoods to the same level of quality it does for foreclosures it owns in white middle- and working-class neighborhoods. The data supporting the federal lawsuit, which includes substantial photographic evidence, shows a stark pattern of discriminatory conduct by Fannie Mae in the maintenance of its foreclosures.

·         In the Prince George’s County, Maryland area, we investigated 60 Fannie Mae REOs.

o   51 African American

o   4 Majority Non-White

o   5 White

·         30.9% of the REO properties in communities of color had trash or debris, while none of the properties in predominantly white neighborhoods had the same issue

·         36.4% of the REO properties in communities of color had unsecured, broken, or boarded windows while none of the properties in predominantly white neighborhoods has the same issue.

Fears of traffic gridlock as MGM casino is set to open; officials urge patience and planning

(Click on the image for Luz' report)

By Luz Lazo, The Washington Post
County and casino officials say there’s no need to panic. Improvements such as new striping, realignments and a new road should help with traffic flow around the casino. And if that’s not enough, dozens of police officers and electronic message boards will be in place to move traffic on opening day and the days that follow.
“Will there be congestion? Yes. Will traffic look like it looked in 1996 or 2006? No. But we are going to manage it,” said Prince George’s Police Chief Henry P. Stawinski III.

Handling traffic with MGM casino's opening

(Click on the image for the WUSA*9 video report)

"Please plan ahead. That's our best advice."

How to Winterize a Car

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From Consumer Reports: "The winter months are hard on your vehicle. Cold temperatures, dirt, and road-salt residue can all cause problems. However, there are some simple checks and maintenance items you can do that will help your vehicle stay in top condition."
[My experience is that car batteries last about 3 years. Advance Auto Parts will test yours for free. Costco members can get Interstate  batteries at a good price.]

LAST WEEKEND of Babes in Toyland... Really!

(Click on the image for the website)

A little boy unwillingly exiting childhood wishes he could live in Toyland instead of the real world, and he gets his wish! But living with nursery rhymes come to life, from Little Bo Peep to Humpty Dumpty, isn't as much fun as it sounds..
Kids 12 and under get in FREE!

Keeping a Dry Christmas Tree Is Like Inviting a Forest Fire into Your Home

(Please click on the image for the background on this flyer)

Avoid These Common and Costly Senior Scams

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Financial scams targeting seniors put their retirement savings at risk
By Consumer Reports, Nov. 22, 2016
Scams aimed at seniors can range from fraudsters who pedal bogus anti-aging products for less than $30 to a fake “cash award” racket that empties a $300,000 nest egg. In all, seniors lose an estimated $3 billion a year to scams and other financial abuse. Here are some of the common swindles, according to experts:

• Medicare Open-Enrollment Ploy
• Veterans’ Pension Scam
• Pump and Dump Investment Schemes

Police: We Are Hiring!

(Click on the image to learn more)

Glowing Liquid May Help Prince George's Police Solve Crimes

(Click on the image for Tracee's video report)

Tracee Wilkins, News4, reports:

Police in Prince George's County, Maryland, say a liquid that glows under a black light will help prevent and solve crimes.

Police will begin to use SmartWater, a product credited for a drop in burglaries in the United Kingdom by nearly 30 percent.
Some Prince George's County residents will get SmartWater for free.
Police chief Hank Stawinski said the product solves a big problem in policing.
"It's very difficult to associate that thief with that item at that crime scene. Smartwater changes all of that," he said.
Users dab the solution on items, and then it will glow under a black light. The liquid leaves behind a unique marker that's left behind even if the item is burned.
"It's like DNA. It's unique to every household. Every application is unique," SmartWater International CEO Phil Clearly said at a news conference Wednesday in Palmer Park, Maryland.
Traces of the product are long-lasting.
"Smart Water is a silent and invisible witness that means that that offender now can be tracked back to that crime days, weeks, even years later," Stawinski said.
Police then can trace stolen items back to their owners through a database.
People who use SmartWater get stickers and signs to try to ward off criminals. It is being used in Prince George's County after an initial $50,000 investment by two independent organizations.
[WJLA's report on SmartWater]

Package Theft Prevention

(Click on the image for the video report)

WTHR, Indianapolis:

1. Sign for your packages. If there's no one home to sign for the package, it won't be left at your home.
2. Get your packages delivered to shipping locations like The Mailing Station. Anyone with a secondary mailbox at shipping locations like The Mailing Station can get their packages dropped off for free.
3. Show off you home security. If you have a home security system, make sure you have a sign in the front yard. If you have security cameras, make sure potential "porch pirates" know they're there and if you have a doorbell camera, use it.
4. Sign up for email notifications. You can get email notifications from FedEx, UPS, and businesses like Amazon and Urban Outfitters to track your package from initial shipment to its final destination.
5. Have your packages delivered to your place of business. Make sure your workplace is cool with this, and if they are, it's much safer than having packages delivered to your home.
6. Be a "nosy neighbor"/"engaged friend"
7. Sign up for "UPS My Choice" and Fedex "Delivery Manager"

Public School Performance Audit

(Click on the image for the briefing)

Video of the briefing to the County Council and Board of Education is here (The quality of the audio is not consistent).

WSSC Broad Creek Project Completion: Summer 2020

(Click on the image for the October 2016 Newsletter)

The Broad Creek Waste Water Pumping Station (WWPS) was built in 1968
Consent Order - December 2005
3 remaining projects:

• Beginning at Swan Creek Road along MD 210 going south to the Piscataway Waste Water Treatment Plant: projected substantial completion date is May 30, 2017.
• Beginning at Swan Creek Road along MD 210 going north, turning left on Cornett Street and right on Livingston Road and ending  just before the intersection of Fort Washington Road and Livingston Road:  projected substantial completion is May 30, 2017.
• Broad Creek WWPS Rehabilitation and Tunnel: anticipated substantial completion is Summer 2020 (based on early 2017 contracts award).

Replace Smoke Detectors Every 10 Years

(Click on the image for the video report)

News 4's Susan Hogan warns an old detector may not protect you and your family. Consumer Reports recommends that you replace your smoke detectors every 10 years.

Robocall Update: We need actions, not empty promises (from Consumers Union)

We’re making progress, but there’s more work to do. After much build-up, the FCC’s Robocall “Strike Force” — a coalition of telecom and tech companies — presented the results of their new effort to block irritating and hazardous robocallers and keep them from interrupting our lives. Sadly, although there are billions of robocalls every month, the phone companies’ solution does nothing to stop them. Like much of the FCC, we’re holding the applause until the Strike Force commits to a deadline to make new consumer tools available to block unwanted calls for everyone, for free. The phone companies can do better. WAY better. Please join us in sending a message to AT&T, CenturyLink and Verizon telling them to make call blocking tools available immediately and to commit to concrete dates for ending unwanted calls. SEND A MESSAGE » During the meeting, federal regulators were unimpressed by the plan. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler insisted that the Strike Force reconvene within six months for another report, and said what companies had done so far was “only a start.” As Wheeler also made clear, consumers can’t wait for more half measures. We need solutions now and will fight for firm commitments from phone providers. Please tell the phone companies to make call blocking tools available immediately and commit to concrete dates for solving the larger robocalls problem. Thank you for staying vigilant in our campaign to end robocalls. Your activism is making all the difference. Tim Marvin, EndRobocalls.org Consumers Union, Policy and Action from Consumer Reports SEND A MESSAGE »

How Hackable Are Your Gadgets?

(Click on the image for the article)

By Ry Crist, Cnet.com, Oct 25, 2016)
Last Friday saw a massive internet outage after hackers flooded Dyn, a major internet gatekeeper for sites like Facebook, Spotify and Netflix, with false bandwidthfrom an ocean of unsecured internet-connected devices.
Many of these devices were reportedly smart home gadgets using standardized manufacturer default passwords. It's alarmingly easy for hackers to search the web for these devices and then, with the right malware, take control of them en masse. From there, the hackers can use their army of hacked devices, called a "botnet," to overwhelm whatever server they aim it at.
The episode raises some serious questions about the smart home. More and more people are filling their living spaces with an ever-increasing number of internet-connected devices. That means more potential fodder for the next big botnet, and fears of even bigger attacks in the future.
[Read Ry's report here.]

Missed the Snow Summit? Here's the Brief

(Click the image for the briefing)

[Video of the latest Snow Summit is here]
Your Role:

• Off Street Parking
• Never Park on a Snow Emergency Route
• Clear Sidewalks in Front of Your Home 
• Clear Driveways and Mailboxes after Plowing is Completed
• Stay off Roadways, If Possible
• If not possible, stay as far behind trucks as possible

Tips:

• Reduce speeds to match road conditions during weather events
• Allow as much distance as possible between the car in front of you
• If you think it’s too bad to go out, it probably is
• If on street parking is required, park on the even side of the roadway
• Bridges, overpasses and cold spots freeze more quickly
• Wait twenty-four (24) hours after the snow stops before calling to request snow and ice removal services

Step Up for People with Hearing Loss

(Click on the image for the website)

Family Caregivers Support Groups

One Way to Choose the Right Technology Product for Yourself or as a Gift

(Click on the image to go to the website)

With all the brands and models of electronics to choose from, it's hard to decide which is best for you.
Use this site to start your decision process by limiting the price and performance that meet your needs. Then use sites like PC Magazine, Consumers Report, and The Wirecutter to refine your selection.

Choosing a Low Cost 529 Plan

(Click on the image for Tisha Thompson's report)

The News4 I-Team found fees tacked on to 529 plans -- government-run college savings programs -- can make a big difference in how much you can save.
“If you've got kids, you should have a 529 plan," according to Georgetown University’s personal finance expert Dr. James Angel. "The tax breaks are too good to pass up."
[Scroll to the bottom of Tisha's report for the 529 Plan Calculator]

Recognize and Avoid Phishing Attacks

(Click on the image for the full infographic)

Don't let criminals trick you into handing over your login info to false websites that look legitimate!

Vote!

Early Voting begins on Thursday, October 27, 2016 and ends on Thursday, November 3, 2016. Early voting sites will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Election Day is Tuesday November 8, 2016. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Voter Registration Books Close - Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at 9 p.m.

Sample Ballot if you vote at Potomac Landing E.S. (05-05)

Sample Ballot if you vote at Breath of Life SDA Church (05-07)

Ballot Question 1 Summary - Chapter 511 of 2016

Certified Ballot Questions A-G 2016

Community policing can make us all safer

(Click on the image for Loretta Lynch's opinion)

Loretta E. Lynch is attorney general of the United States.
"Community policing is a public safety philosophy based on partnership and cooperation. At its core is the idea that everyone has a stake in the safety of the neighborhoods where we live and work, and that none of us, police or citizen, can make them safe on our own. Community policing uses our shared interest as the foundation for deeper understanding, mutual respect and closer partnership. In practice, community policing encourages officers and citizens to communicate regularly, to share concerns and collaborate on solutions, and, above all, to get to know one another as people rather than stereotypes.
And it works. I know, because I’ve seen the results."

Celebrating Prince George's County

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"How the county is working to alleviate traffic, how National Harbor and MGM are shaping the county's economy, and the significant role of the faith community plays in the lives of Prince George's residents."

• $7 billion in county development.
• National Harbor will be responsible for more than 10 thousand jobs.
• MD 210 is so bad that commuters say it can't get worse - except that it might: from 80 thousand vehicles/day to 125 thousand vehicles/day.
• Faith community provides critical services 7 days/week.

Prince George's Co. police chief weighs in on race & policing (WUSA9)

(Click on the image for Ellison's video report)

By Ellison Barber. On Thursday, Chief Hank Stawinski, of the Prince George’s Police Department, spoke about issues facing police departments across the country and got personal when addressing the tension between law enforcement officers and the African American community.

In Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, a tale of two markets

Click on the image for Michele's report)

By Michele Lerner
Montgomery County and Prince George’s County both may be suburbs of Washington, but the two housing markets are very different by nearly every measure, including home prices, the pace of sales and the amount of new construction.
“Montgomery County and Prince George’s County are like mirror images of each other,” says Nela Richardson, chief economist for Redfin real estate brokerage in Washington.
Prices are significantly lower in Prince George’s, where the median home price from January to August 2016 was $250,000, up 8.7 percent from that same period in 2015, according to Rockville-based multiple-listing service MRIS. In Montgomery, the median sales price for that same period was $410,000, up 2.5 percent from 2015.

Do It Yourself Hose Faucet (Bib) Repair

A repair video is here for a hose faucet that is leaking from the vacuum breaker (the gray cap on top),
Repair parts, if you need them, are available here. You need a flat-blade screwdriver and pliers for the repair.

Robocalls Gone Wild

(Click on the image for Horace Holmes' 7 On Your Side report)

They call every day. Early in the morning till late at night.

They are robo calls. Those recorded calls any of us can get and most of us have received on our home or cell phones. Asking us to take a survey or informing us we've won something.
And if you think they're calling more frequently these days than they have in the past, you're right.
Get these numbers!
According to Youmail, a private company that tracks robo calls, just last month those calls hit an all-time high in the US of 2.6 billion up nearly 10 percent from July. That's 986 calls ringing per second across the country.
For just the DC area code 202, there were 19 million robo calls dialed in August. The ones marketing or trying to sell a product are against federal law.

[Free Nomorobo can help!]

Prince George's County Police Launch 'Chief on the Go' Program (News4)

(Click on the image for Tracee's video report)

By Tracee Wilkins
Amid unrest surrounding deadly police shootings across country, the Prince George's County Police Department -- once subject to federal oversight for its own allegations of abuse -- is seeking to boost relationships with the community. Police Chief Hank Stawinski spoke with residents and played with children in Brandywine on Friday.

66 Ways to Protect Your Privacy Right Now

(Click on the image for the report)

Consumers Report:
Ah, the joys of the connected life: opportunities to engage with global communities, be educated and entertained, and shop with ease. But these go hand in glove with intrusions from marketers and threats from criminals. The tips here, compiled with input from dozens of security experts, will help you take control. We also have pulled out a shorter list of just seven, super-fast steps you can take right now, in less than 10 minutes.

It's simple, wear your seat belt

BUCKLE UP ON EVERY TRIP. EVERY TIME. DAY AND NIGHT.
Your seat belt is your best defense against unsafe drivers – buckling up is the single most important step you can take to save your life in the event of a crash.

Technology Gets Newer and We Get Older

Our hearing and vision get weaker and our fingers tremble but we still need to use technology to take care of ourselves. Here are 4 websites that offer help and advice. There are many more.

• AARP 'Technology 101'
• Kiplinger 'Technology Helps Seniors Remain at Home'
• Microsoft 'Accessibility in Windows 10'
• 'Aging In Place Technology Watch'

How to Pick the Fastest Line at the Supermarket

(click on the image for the New York Times article)

By Christopher Mele.

You dash into the supermarket for a few necessities. You figure it will be 10 minutes — tops — before you are done and on your way home.

Then you get to the checkout lanes and they are brimming with shoppers. Your plan for a quick exit begins to evaporate.

But all is not lost.

For anyone who has ever had to stand in line (or if you are a New Yorker, you stand on line) at a supermarket, retailer, bank or anywhere else, here are some tips from experts for picking the line that will move the fastest.

Bob Dylan making a sculpture for MGM National Harbor casino

By Jeff Clabaugh, September 7, 2016

A metalwork sculpture by legendary musician Bob Dylan will get a prominent place at MGM’s National Harbor casino.
Dylan is creating a sculpture called “Portal,” a 26-foot by 15-foot sculpture that will be part of the casino’s west entrance. It is Dylan’s first permanent work of art for a public space.
“As a company founded upon entertainment, we’re truly inspired by artists who channel their energy into diverse paths,” MGM Resorts International Chief Executive Jim Murren said. “We’re proud to collaborate with Mr. Dylan and bring his vision to MGM National Harbor’s Heritage Collection in a way that enhances this sensory resort experience.” [Read Jeff's WTOP report here]

[Unconfirmed rumor has the casino opening Midnight, Dec 8, preceded by special events on Dec 1st and 5th.]

Big jump in number of Maryland drivers who illegally pass school buses

(Click on the image for Donna St. George's Washington Post report)

The total number of violations during the survey nearly tripled in Prince George’s County — from 230 last year to 658 this year — but was similar to its 2014 count of 669 violations. School officials said the county’s six-year average is 564; the county has 20 buses equipped with stop-arm cameras.
“Even one driver passing our buses is too many,” a schools spokeswoman said in a statement. “With our students back in school, it is important that motorists keep their eyes on the road and their minds on safety.”

What You Need to Know About Tech Support Scams

(Click on the image for the NBC report)

"It starts when your computer suddenly freezes and a pop-up warns you of a problem. Next, a "technician" offers to fix it, if you allow him to gain access to your computer. Here's how to spot the scammers."
[If you actually need tech support, go to someone you trust because allowing access to your computer potentially opens up all the personal information stored on it. See the report on Windows 10's Quick Assist here.]

County Zoning Rewrite Listening Sessions

The Prince George’s County Planning Department is conducting a comprehensive rewrite of the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations. These laws define how land in certain geographic areas can be used. The current Zoning Ordinance is more than 1,200 pages, inconsistent and difficult to use. Our hope is to create a 21st Century Zoning Ordinance for Prince George’s County, transforming the current zoning code into a more modern and user-friendly ordinance.
Project Goals:

• Streamline and simplify the regulations and development approval process
• Modernize and consolidate our zones and development standards
• Incentivize economic and transit-oriented, mixed-use development
• Protect and enhance stable residential neighborhoods

How to prevent your security camera from being hacked

(Click on the image for the article)

"a Houston mother learned the security camera in her daughter's bedroom was being broadcast online."
Ron's advice: It's better to watch for potential criminals outside your home with external cameras than to risk having criminals watch you inside your home with inside cameras.